Spots opened up to more participants than last year, which only allowed 40 attendees to register. This year, the 70 available positions have all been booked.

“Women are coming from within an hour of our area, all across the U.P., lower Michigan, Wisconsin and one from Utah! It’s going to be a fun mix of ladies from various states & skill levels,” organizer Corie Berrigan said. “The ice clinic consists of indoor skills teaching and presentations, along with hands-on, on-ice instruction from some of the top women ice anglers from Wisconsin and Michigan. I am honored they are willing to travel to our area helping women learn the ins and outs of ice fishing.”

Berrigan is the founder of Upper Michigan Women Anglers LLC, which is a club designed for women to learn and share knowledge of fishing as well as network and connect with others. The club promotes fishing education and supports group activities.

Other core members in a committee that helps drive the club are Brittany Weirich, Kandi Wright, Michelle Arrowood, Miranda Majkrzak, Rachel Pomeroy and Sheldon Wade.

Corie Berrigan and Brittany Weirich, both Yoopers and avid anglers, are two of the several instructors conducting the women's ice fishing clinic this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Corie Berrigan)

“This club features professional women anglers, guides, captains in the Upper Peninsula, to novice and beginners,” said Berrigan, who also operates the fishing guide service Fishing 4All Seasons.

The event, which will ultimately occupy three days, kicks off Friday with an ice safety presentation by Delta County Search and Rescue.

“We are very fortunate to have this team of highly skilled people in our area keeping us safe when accidents happen, and much appreciation goes to them,” Berrigan said.

Day two of the women’s ice fishing clinic will begin at a hall in Brampton on Saturday morning and feature introductions from instructors — Weirich, Berrigan, Wright, Paige Werner, Angie Benson, Barb Gajewski, Sarah Greenlund, Shari Martzahl, Taylor Bosley and Tj Gramberg — as well as brief discussions of their favorite lures and target fish before presentations from the experts.

Saturday afternoon will take clinic participants to lunch at the Rapid River Pub before they head out onto Little Bay de Noc for a day of hardwater fishing near the Vagabond Resort.

Equipment from Clam Outdoor Gear, one of the sponsors of this weekend's ice fishing clinic for women. (Photo courtesy of Corie Berrigan)

On Sunday, hands-on stations will teach participants about electronics, jigging techniques, rigging, tip-ups, ice transportation, choosing the right bait, ice safety equipment and more.

With more attendees and a wider curriculum than last year, Berrigan is pleased that so many community sponsors and businesses stepped up to support the event.

Sponsors of the clinic are Fishing 4All Seasons, Clam Outdoors, The Daily Press, Delta County Search and Rescue, Korkers Footwear, C and J Custom Rods, MAG Custom Rods, Beaver Lures, Bayshore Bait and Hideaway, Bay View Bait & Tackle, Vagabond Resort, Hillcrest Motel, Discover the U.P., L&M Fleet Supply, Rapid River Pub, Rapid River Knife Works, BassWacker Lures, Northland Marine, Wind Rose North Ltd. Outfitters, Dunham’s Sporting Goods, Barbara Karas, Ralph Winkler and Brampton Township.

“With this many women coming to our area, it’s a nice boost to our local economy and showcase our beautiful U.P.,” Berrigan said. As for Upper Michigan Women Anglers and the clinic, she said the club provides “opportunities to help make fishing more accessible to women.”

Individuals interested in keeping up with Upper Michigan Women Anglers and their future events — including next winter’s clinic — can look up the club on Facebook. While the clinic was free to attend, registration was required. Because of associated expenses, donations are accepted.

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R. R. Branstrom can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 140, or rbranstrom@dailypress.net.